Tag Archives: UNC

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

By DOUG BONJOUR Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — J’Mari Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in overtime, lifting No. 16 Virginia to a 17-16 victory over North Carolina on Saturday.

The Tar Heels answered with Davion Gause’s 9-yard touchdown grab. But instead of kicking the extra point and sending the game to a second overtime, coach Bill Belichick opted to go for 2 and the win. It backfired, as Ben Hall was stopped just short of the end zone on a pass into the flat.

Virginia coach Tony Elliott was surprised by the call.

“I would’ve kicked it. … But hey, he’s won a lot of football games,” Elliott said of the six-time Super Bowl champion. “He’s one of the best in the business for a reason. Obviously he felt good about the call.”

Asked to explain the decision, Belichick kept it short.

“Just trying to win the game,” he said.

Chandler Morris threw for 200 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), winners of six straight. The last three victories have come by a total of six points.

“We thrive in situations like this,” safety Antonio Cleary said. “When it comes up, we’re ready for it.”

North Carolina (2-5, 0-4) has lost four straight and remains winless in ACC play. Its only two victories came against non-power conference eams.

For the second time in two weeks, a goal-line gaffe by North Carolina proved costly when wide receiver Kobe Paysour fumbled at the 1 while stretching for the pylon early in the first quarter. The football trickled out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback.

A week earlier in a loss to California, Nathan Leacock coughed up the ball in similar fashion as the Tar Heels were on the verge of grabbing a fourth-quarter lead.

The teams traded field goals before Virginia took a 10-3 lead with 6:36 left in the second quarter on Trell Harris’ 30-yard touchdown grab. North Carolina tied it again on a 1-yard run by Gio Lopez just 1:24 before halftime.

North Carolina turned it over once more in the red zone later in the game when Mitchell Melton picked off Lopez at the Cavaliers’ 5. The Tar Heels’ five red-zone turnovers are tied for most in FBS.

Lopez finished 23 for 36 for 208 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The takeaway

Virginia: The Cavaliers continue to show they can win in a variety of ways. Three of their last four victories have come in overtime.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels have been more competitive in recent weeks, but that’s no consolation given the expectations under Belichick.

Poll implications

After starting the season outside the poll, Virginia could crack the top 15 for the first time since 2004.

Up next

Virginia: Visits California next Saturday.

North Carolina: Visits Syracuse on Friday.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Ben Hall was stopped on North Carolina’s 2-point try. A previous version stated it was Davion Gause.

Belichick says suspended North Carolina assistant coach is back working with Tar Heels

Belichick says suspended North Carolina assistant coach is back working with Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been reinstated and returned to work ahead of a visit from No. 16 Virginia. The school had announced Oct. 9 that it suspended Hawkins for “violating NCAA rules” tied to improper benefits. UNC’s statement didn’t specify a length of the suspension. It had also said he would remain on leave while the school “further investigates other potential actions detrimental” to the team and school. Belichick said Monday school officials “went through their process” with Hawkins and that he was back to work.… Continue Reading

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

Brent Austin’s goal-line heroics secure California’s 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Brent Austin forces a fumble at the goal line and recovers it in the end zone, securing California’s 21-18 victory over North Carolina on Friday night. North Carolina was close to a go-ahead score when Austin knocked the ball loose. With 3:48 left, California regained possession. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed two key passes on the next drive, helping Cal run down the clock. Sagapolutele also threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score. Despite a competitive game, North Carolina remains winless against power conference opponents under Bill Belichick.… Continue Reading

Is college worth the cost? Universities work to show the return on investment of a degree

Is college worth the cost? Universities work to show the return on investment of a degree

WASHINGTON (AP) — For many young Americans, deciding on college has become a complex choice. Increasingly, a main question is whether a degree is worth its cost. Confidence in higher education has dropped due to high tuition, student loans and a tough job market. Colleges are now trying to prove their value. New rankings and reports focus on the financial benefits of degrees. Research shows most bachelor’s degrees still pay off, but not all lead to good salaries. More students are choosing technical schools or trades over four-year universities to avoid debt. In response, colleges are working to align degrees with job market needs.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role. Belichick says “some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that, it’s just categorically false.” Belichick was making his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field

Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina has run into problems both on and off the field. The Tar Heels are 2-3 but have lost in lopsided fashion in all three of their games against power-conference opponents. A person with knowledge of the situation said the school has also suspended an assistant coach while it looks into potential NCAA rules violations tied to improper benefits. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school hasn’t publicly discussed the suspension. UNC is off this week and next plays at California on Oct. 17.… Continue Reading

Dabo Swinney and Clemson find positives after a bye. Bill Belichick and UNC find more of the same

Dabo Swinney and Clemson find positives after a bye. Bill Belichick and UNC find more of the same

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney found reason for optimism while North Carolina coach Bill Belichick found only more of the same struggles in Saturday’s meeting. Clemson won 38-10 on the road. That included scoring 28 points in the first quarter. Both teams were coming off an open date after struggles in September. It marked UNC’s third blowout loss to a power-conference opponent in as many games this year for the 73-year-old Belichick. It marked the second time this year that the Tar Heels played much of the second half in a largely empty home stadium due to a lopsided score.… Continue Reading

Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9

Jackson, UCF power past North Carolina, 34-9

Orlando, FL (AP) — UCF’s Tavyen Jackson threw for 223 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown to send UCF past a struggling North Carolina team 34-9. The Tar Heels threw two critical interceptions and could not gain much ground before quarterback Gio Lopez left the game in the third quarter with an apparent right leg injury.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast